Amherst, NY Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)

Section 151-87 sits within Article VII's fire-safety provisions (§§ 151-83 through 151-87), which govern fire-protection facilities and equipment on structures and exterior premises, with the property owner responsible for maintaining them (§ 151-83B). Subsection E addresses smoke detectors specifically: paragraph (1) requires that smoke detectors be installed and maintained in accordance with all applicable New York State codes, rules, regulations, and laws, incorporating the state Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code's smoke-alarm requirements as the operative standard rather than restating specific numbers locally. Paragraph (2) makes tampering with or interfering with a smoke detector's effectiveness a violation of the article in its own right, independent of whether the detector was otherwise properly installed.

The same article also requires that other fire-protection systems, fire-suppression systems, standpipes, portable extinguishers, and fire alarm systems be kept in operable condition at all times (§§ 151-87A through D, F). The code official, the Commissioner of Building, enforces these requirements, issuing notice under § 151-53 describing the defect and allowing a reasonable correction period before pursuing penalties or court action.